Friday night, after watching German Marquez deftly handle the Phillies in an 11-2 Rockies win, manager Bud Black talked baseball philosophy.
“There’s responsibility for that position. The starting pitcher is the most critical player on the team, every night,” Black said. “His performance, more often than not, dictates whether we win or lose.”
Saturday night, right-hander Zack Wheeler dictated that the Phillies would win. Wheeler dominated the Rockies in a 6-1 victory at Citizens Bank Park, pitching 6 2/3 innings of one-run, four-hit baseball. He fanned eight and walked just one.
Meanwhile, Rockies lefty Kyle Freeland, who is faltering in September, didn’t measure up.